Splicing apparatus

ABSTRACT

SPLICING APPARATUS FOR JOINING TOGETHERTHE ENDS OF TWO WEBS, PARTICULARLY OF DATA TAPE, COMPRISES MEANS INCLUDING A BED FOR LOCATING THE WEB ENDS, HEATER MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE WEB LOCATING MEANS TO ENGAGE IN A CLOSED POSITION WITH THE LOCATED WEB ENDS, AND CLAMP MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO BOTH THE WEB LOCATING MEANS AND THE HEATER MEANS TO CLOSE THE HEATER MEANS AND SO APPLY HEAT AND PRESSURE FOR JOINING THE LOCATED WEB ENDS.

H. H. Ross ETAL srmcwa APPARATUS Feb. 16,1971

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 med Aug 15, 1967 HARRY/Pm; Malawi/JAIME INVENTORS' BY TIM/l7 ATTORNEY Feb.16, 1971 Filed Aug 15. 1967 H. HQ ROSS ETA!- SPLICING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 34:0,1 Hh, I 3 P2 Bib-16; 1971 pfHf ss G41. 3,563,833

SPLICING APPARATUS med Au ,15, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet s United States Patent ()lfice 3,563,833 SPLICING APPARATUS Harry Herman Ross, London, and William Frank Maidment, Guildford, England, assignors to Punched Card Accessories Limited, London, England, a British comany p Filed Aug. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 660,678

Claims priority, application Great Britain, Aug. 22, 1966, 37,422/66; Dec. 9, 1966, 55,152/66 Int. Cl. B6511 69/06 US. Cl. 156-502 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Splicing apparatus for joining together the ends of two webs, particularly of data tape, comprises means including a bed for locating the web ends, heater means movable relative to the web locating means to engage in a closed position with the located web ends, and clamp means movable relative to both the web locating means and the heater means to close the heater means and so apply heat and pressure for joining the located web ends.

PRIOR APPLICATION Priority, Great Britain Aug. 20, 1966. Application No. 37422/66 and Dec. 9, 1966. Application No. 55152/66.

The invention concerns improvements relating to splicing apparatus such as commonly used for joining together the ends of two webs, particularly though not exclusively of data tape of perforated paper as used for data processing installations, telecommunications, teleprinters and comparable purposes.

With known apparatus, heat and pressure is applied to suitably located web ends treated with a heat curable adhesive compatible with the web material. The adhesive may be applied as a solid strip or in fluid form. The web ends may overlap.

To obtain consistently good results, a relatively high predetermined pressure is required with a certain temperature for a certain duration, depending upon the characteristics of the web and adhesive. An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which achieves such good results whilst being relatively inexpensive and compact and easy to operate and maintain.

According to the invention there is provided splicing apparatus for joining together the ends of two webs, comprising means including a bed for locating the web end portions in predetermined aligned relation on the bed heater, means movable relative to the web locating means to engage in a closed position with the located web ends between the bed and the heater means, and clamp means movable relative to both the web locating means and the heater means to bring the heater means to the closed position and thence apply pressure to the heater means in the closed position so as to apply heat and pressure for joining the located web ends.

Advantageously the clamp means and the heater means co-operate so that movement of the clamp means brings Patented Feb. 16, 1971 the heater means to the closed position and thence applies progressively increasing pressure to the heater means.

Preferably the clamp means and the heater means cooperate so that the clamp means is movable to bring the heater means to the closed position and is thence movable to an extreme position in which the clamp means automatically locks onto the heater means.

Advantageously, the clamp means comprises a lever means which is manually operable and co-operates with the heater means; the heater means and the lever means are pivotally mounted relative to the locating means, the heater means presents an arcuate cam surface remote from the bed and the lever means includes a cam means, such that when the lever means is pivotally moved the cam means engages the cam surface to pivotally move the heater means to the closed position and thence moves along an arcuate path convergent with the cam surface to apply progressively increasing pressure to the heater means; and a dwell formation is provided in the cam surface arranged to be engaged by the cam means to auto-' matically lock the lever means onto the heater means in an extreme position of the lever means.

The apparatus may be provided in combination with a separate heater appliance which is adapted for use in co-operation with said bed or another bed and independently of said clamp means to splice web ends, especially of a small loop of web.

The foregoing and further features of the invention will 'be more readily understood from the embodiments which are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an end elevational view of an apparatus according to the invention for splicing the ends of data tapes,

FIG. 2 shows an end part-sectional view of the apparatus looking in the opposite direction,

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the line III-III of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 but with less detail and diagrammatically showing the apparatus in a different operating position,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus,

FIG. 6 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus,

FIG. 7 is a part-sectional end view of the apparatus illustrating the use of a separate heater appliance in cooperation with the bed of the main apparatus for splicing the ends of a small loop of tape,

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heater appliance, and illustrates its use in co-operation with another bed, and,

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the heater appliance on line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the apparatus has a frame 1 including a base 2 and upstanding therefrom a structure 3 of generally triangular shape in end view which supports a fixed bed 5. Pins 6 project from the bed 5 to engage holes in the tapes which are indicated at T1 and T2. Two retaining flaps 7, 8 are hingedly mounted on a cross shaft 9 fixed to the frame each to engage in a closed position with the respective tape between the bed 5 and the flaps. The flaps may be recessed at 6 to accommodate the pins 6, and may be transparent. A guillotine attachment 11 may be provided for trimming the ends of the tapes prior to joining. Such a retaining flap and cutting 3 arrangement is known per se, for example from United Kingdom patent specification 1,021,282. The front of the structure 3 carries a control panel 12.

A heater means H in the form of a heater block 13 housing an electric heater element 14 is pivotally mounted on the frame by pin and slot means comprising the cross shaft 9 engaged in a slot 16 of the block 13. The block has a removable heated plate 17 presenting an outstanding surface 18 to engage in a closed position of the block with located tape ends between the bed and such surface 18. The electrical lead to the block is indicated at 19. The block presents an arcuate cam surface 20 remote from the surface 18 and the bed 5, and with a dwell formation 21 therein. The arcuate surface blends rearwardly into a projecting formation 22.

A clamp means C is in the form of a lever means comprising a substantially L-shaped lever member 23 which is of generally channel section to accommodate the heater block 13 and which at the extremity of one arm 24 is pivotally mounted to the frame by an eccentric pressure adjustor means 25. Thus, a depending bracket 3' of the frame structure 3 has a cylindrical bore 26 housing an eccentric 27 carrying a shaft 28 on which the lever member is pivotally mounted. A handle 29 is secured to the eccentric and extends radially through a slot 30 of the control panel. The handle has extreme positions 29', 29" as indicated in FIG. 4. The other arm 31 of lever member 23 carries pressure applying cam means 32 which comprises a pin 33 fixed across the arm and carrying a pair of rollers 34 by way of needle bearings 35. The rollers are located so as to co-act with the arcuate cam surface 20 and projecting formation 22 of the heater block 13, one to each side of a central vertical plane passing through the heater surface 18. An operating handle 36 is screwed into a threaded boss 37 on the lever member 23 and assists in locating a rear cover 38 between a spacer 39 and nut 40, and a front cover or shield 41 between the nut and the handle. The cover and shield move with the lever member. The clamp means rests on a stop 42 of the frame in the open position, and the heater means rests on a stop 43 of the frame in the open position, both as shown in FIG. 2.

The control and indicating means include a knob 44 controlling a combined mains switch and rheostat 45 to vary the current flowing from the mains supply connection indicated at 46 to the heater means. An indicator lamp 47 indicates when the apparatus is switched on. A flasher indicator lamp 48 is arranged to operate intermittently at a regular rate, e.g. once a second, under control of a thermo-strip flasher switch unit 49 which operates Whilst the apparatus is switched on. A tape end guide notch 50 is provided.

In operation, assume that apparatus has been switched on for some time and the heat control knob is set in accordance with the adhesive and type of paper of the tapes to be joined, so that the heater block, which is of relatively small mass, is maintained at a suitable heating temperature. Also, the pressure adjuster has been suitably set dependent upon the width and type of tape being joined.

The end portion of each of the two tapes to be joined may initially be separately positioned on the bed 5 with holes in the tape engaged with the locating pins 6, and the ends trimmed using the guillotine 30.

One tape end portion is then located on the bed by the pins 6 with its end in line with the far edge of the guide notch 50, and the respective retaining flap is swung from open position such as indicated at 8' in FIG. 1 to closed position. The underside of the other tape end portion adjacent the end is moistened manually by brush with a sealing fluid provided, the tape end portion is located on the bed so that an overlap of one punch hole character position is achieved at the guide notch, and the other respective retaining flap is swung to closed position. The tape end portions are thus located in predetermined aligned relation on the bed, with the flaps engaging the tapes between the bed and the flaps. The transparent flaps allow visual checking of the location. The sealing fluid may be any suitable known adhesive material, e.g. size, which is heat curable and compatible with the material of the tapes.

The clamp handle 36 is pulled from the open position (FIG. 2) of the clamp lever means forward and downwardly in direction D1 (FIG. 4), so that the lever means is pivotally moved about its bearings 28 and the rollers 34 come to engage the arcuate cam surface 20 of the heater block 13 to pivotally move the latter from open position (FIG. 2) through to closed position (FIG. 4). The rollers thence move along an arcuate path indicated at P1 which is convergent with the arcuate cam surface as shown more clearly by the line P2 which is a continuation of such arcuate surface, and come to engage in the dwell formation 21 to automatically lock the lever means onto the heater block in an extreme position of the lever means, with an over-centre effect. Thus the heated surface 18 of the heater block is brought to engage the overlapping tape ends between the bed and such heated surface, and progressively increasing pressure is applied by the lever means to the heater block and so to the overlapping tape ends for joining same. The pin and slot mounting of the heater block allows the heated surface 18 to seat down properly onto the tape ends.

The flasher indicator lamp 48 is used to indicate the appropriate duration of the application of heat and pressure by the operator counting the number of flashes up to a number predetermined for the conditions obtaining.

The clamp lever handle is then pushed backwards to open position, to release the pressure and swing the heater block to open position by engagement of the rollers 34 with the projecting formation 22. The retaining flaps are raised and the spliced tape removed from the bed.

The operator is informed of the heat and pressure settings and time count appropriate to various conditions, and also may make simple experiments prior to operational use, for best results. Current consumption is negligible so that the apparatus can be left switched on all working day.

The shield 41 guards the heater block in open position, and is easily removed as indicated at 41 in FIG. 2, by partially unscrewing the clamp lever handle to expose the block for cleaning and maintenance.

The apparatus described enables paper tape, e.g. 5, 7 or 8 channel, to be spliced quickly, economically and reliably, with minimal increase of material thickness at the spliced region. The tap end portions can be accurately aligned on the fixed bed and heat and pressure applied to the tap ends to join them together without any further movement of the tapes after alignment. The heater block is of relatively small mass and permanently heated and therefore whilst the apparatus is being used no time is wasted in waiting for the heater to reach the required temperature. The clam lever arrangement utilised gives a large mechanical advantage normal to the effective inclined plane of the arcuate surface of the heater block i.e. in a direction towards the bed in the extreme operative position of the lever. The use of needle bearings in the pressure applying rollers considerably reduces the effect of friction on this mechanical advantage. Also the first order lever effect approximately doubles the thrust for a given load on the clamp lever handle. An extremely small lift force is required to release the handle from the extreme operative position.

The heater block 13 may house a thermostat as indicated at 13 in FIG. 2.

If desired, the clamp lever and the heater block could be assisted in returning to their open positions by light spring means, and also such spring means could serve to return the heater block to open position instead of the projection 22 being engaged by the roller means 34.

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate the use of a separate heater appliance 51 which is adapted for use in co-operation with the bed of the main apparatus, or another bed, and independently of the clamp lever means, especially to splice the ends of a small loop of tape.

The appliance comprises a heater block '52 housing an electric heater element 3 and having a heated plate 54 presenting an outstanding surface 55 to engage with overlapping tape ends T3, T4 located between the bed and such surface. The block has a bore housing a thermostat 56.

The block is mounted on a pivot pin 57 extending transversely across a channel member 58 which is secured within a tubular casing 59 with one end cut away at 60 to expose the heater surface 55. The other end of the casing is covered with a handle 61 of heat insulating material. The channel member 58 projects at 612 from the heater end of the casing '59. The projection 62 is mitred as shown and forms a lever part. Electrical leads 63 for supplying current to the heating element pass along inside the appliance from the handle end, for electrical connection (via a jack plug and socket not shown) into the main electric control circuit. The casing 59 carries a rest 64.

For use with the main apparatus, the clamp lever 23 of the main apparatus is provided with a fulcrum pin 65 which when the lever is in its open position as illustrated in FIG. 7 lies to the rear of and above the central portion of the bed 5. By removing the handle and the shield of the clamp lever 23, the pin 65 is exposed for co-operation with the lever part 62 of the appliance to enable the ends T3, T4 of a loop of tape to be spliced on the bed. To prevent the clamp lever moving out of its open position during this operation, a removable locking pin 66 is provided engaging the lower arm of the lever.

The main apparatus heating control is effective to switch on and oil? and control the heating current supplied to the heater of the appliance via the thermostat, to maintain the heater at a suitable temperature.

In use of the appliance for splicing the ends of a small loop of tape, the ends are located on the bed with adhesive applied similarly as before. The appliance is held in one hand by the operator and inserted through the loop and the lever part 62 is engaged beneath the fulcrum pin '65.

A downward pressure is then exerted on the handle by the operator to carry the heated surface 55 into pressure contact with the tape ends on the bed to effect a splice under heat and pressure. The heater block 52 moves about the pivot pin 57 during this operation to allow the heater surface to adjust itself so as to distribute the applied pressure evenly over the whole area of the tape ends to be joined.

The flashing indicator lamp of the main apparatus is used to indicate the direction of the application of heat and pressure, as before.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the appliance with another bed 67 which is mounted on a simple base board 68. Behind the central portion of the bed a box-like upstand 69 having an opening 70 in the front thereof presents a fulcrum 71 along the upper edge of the opening above and behind the bed. Locating means including locating pins and retaining flaps may be provided with such bed, comparably with the main apparatus, so as to be useful for normal splicing of tape ends as well as for the splicing of the ends of small loops of tape.

The appliance could possibly be provided with its own electric control means and timing means, as described for the main apparatus, so as to render it usable independently of the main apparatus if desired.

We claim:

1. Splicing apparatus for joining together the ends of two webs, comprising means including a fixed bed for cating the web end portions to be joined in predetermined aligned relation on the bed; heater means movable relative to the web locating means between an open position exposing at least a portion of the bed and a closed position to engage, in the closed position, the located web ends between the bed and the heater means; and clamp means movable relative to both the web locating means and the heater means to move the heater means to the closed position and to apply pressure to the heater means in the closed position, to thereby apply heat and pressure to the located web ends which are engaged between the bed and the heater means for joining the located web ends.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamp means and the heater means cooperate so that movement of the clamp means brings the heater means to the closed position and thence applies progressively increasing pressure to the heater means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamp means and the heater means cooperate so that the clamp means is movable to bring the heater means to the closed position and is thence movable to an extreme position in which the clamp means automatically locks onto the heater means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamp means comprises a lever means which is manually operable and co-operates with the heater means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the heater means and the lever means are pivotally mounted relative to the locating means, the heater means presents an arcuate cam surface remote from the bed and the lever means includes a cam means, such that when the lever means is pivotally moved the cam means engages the cam surface to pivotally move the heater means to the closed position and thence moves along an arcuate path convergent with the cam surface to apply progressively increasing pressure to the heater means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a dwell formation is provided in the cam surface arranged to be engaged by the cam means to automatically lock the lever means onto the heater means in an extreme position of the lever means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the heater means is pivotally mounted by pin and slot means, and presents a formation engageable by the cam means during opening movement of the lever means to move the heater means to open position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the pivotal mounting of the lever means comprises an eccentric adjuster means whereby the pressure applied to the heater means is adjustable.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the lever means comprises a substantially L-shaped lever member which is pivotally mounted at the extremity of one arm and carries the pressure applying means on the other arm.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the cam means comprises roller means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heater means is in the form of a heater block housing an electric heater element.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the heater block is to be maintained at a suitable heating temperature, and hte clamp means carries a shield which guards the block in open position of the block and clamp means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein an electric control circuit includes an indicator means which operates intermittently at a regular rate to indicate the duration of the application of heat and pressure.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bed is fixed to a frame of the apparatus.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for locating the web ends includes pins projecting from the bed to engage holes in the webs and retaining flaps hingedly mounted, one to each side of the heater and clamp means, to engage in a closed position with the webs between the bed and the flaps.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a fulcrum fixed relative to the fixed bed, and in combination with a separate heater appliance for use in co-operation with said bed to splice web ends, especially of a small loop of web, the separate heater appliance comprising a heater block housing an electric heater element, a handle to one side of the heater block, and a lever part to the other side of the heater block for engaging the fulcrum fixed relative to the bed.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein a main electric control circuit includes an indicator means which operates intermittently at a regular rate to indicate the duration of the application of heat and pressure, and said separate heater appliance is electrically connectable into said main electric control circuit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Stolz 156505 Cook 156--497 Braun et al. 156583 Saumsiegle 156583 Herzig 156506 Gelling et al 156510 Zelnick 156583 Hurschman 156583 ROBERT F. STAHL, Primary Examiner 

